Jaw-Dropping Sound or Massive Rip-Off? Abyss 1266 Phi TC review
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- Опубліковано 16 лип 2024
- Learn more about the Abyss 1266 here: abyss-headphones.com/pages/ab...
A review of the Abyss 1266 Phi TC including frequency response measurements and comparisons with the Meze Elite and ZMF Caldera headphones.
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00:00 Introduction
00:33 Glamour video
01:38 Pricing, specs & design
05:37 Weight & comfort
07:01 Some problems with the marketing
12:16 Fitment vs sound quality
16:23 Testing process and amps
17:52 Sound quality
27:31 Abyss 1266 vs ZMF Caldera
31:50 Abyss 1266 vs Meze Elite
34:27 Final conclusions
#audiophile #audioreview #headphones - Наука та технологія
The best review of a product I've ever watched!!! It's thorough and unbiased. Say it like it is! The explaination and logic behind the breaking the seal with the Abyss is very insightful. All backed up with graphs.
So glad you liked it!
Aussies do it the best fr.
Personally own this headphone & use it for specific genres. The Susvara is still my favorite, but this is a nice change when you want that extra bass & craziness.
That makes total sense, Robert! The Abyss are very fun with what they do.
Same here.
Your explanation of the resonance of the back wave was fantastic. Well done, and very informative!
I share you overall take. My biggest issue with these headphones (form factor aside) is that their mids are too recessed and timbre isn’t natural. They have a couple of serious tricks up their sleeves that, I suspect, work for some genres and tastes, hence their loyal following (including some good friends whose opinion I respect). Just not for me though.
Glad you liked it, Eyal! Thanks for sharing your impressions too. 🙂
Thank you for the honest, thoughtful and nuanced review. Excellent and helpful as always.
My pleasure! I'm glad you liked it.
Great review. The way you describe the quirkiness and changes to the sound reminded me of listening to my tralucent ref1too iems many years ago. I absolutely loved them, but tip, fit and insertion depth all had massive massive impacts on the sound. More than any other iem I have heard to date.
In addition even when you got it right, they were a very unique sounding iem that was far far from natural or accurate, but if you loved them you LOVED them.
I think I would love the abyss, if I didn't need a second mortgage to buy them!
That's so true about the similarities with ref1too! Definitely give them a try if you ever get the chance, but I wouldn't recommend another mortgage when there are Calderas, Elites and Susvaras in the world. 🙂
I've read nearly every review of these headphones. This is the best explanation of the bass experience with them. The lack of sub-bass with the seal break in favor of the punch, and having to pick between the two and never getting both simultaneously was a deal breaker. And finally seeing that bass dip after the peak on the FR graph explains the lack of consistent bass response I would hear on some songs. "Disconnected" is a perfect way to describe it. I eventually sold them due to the realization that I wasn't hearing everything I was supposed to, aside from the finicky fit and hollow mids
So glad I could explain this well for you! Thanks for sharing your experiences trying these out 🙂
thanks for sharing - I am excited for that HQplayer upscaling review :) I have been playing with both PCM and DSD on the R26
I'm looking forward to some dedicated playtime with it too
Excellent review. Informative and thorough. I heard 80% of flagship headphones and was always wondering about the 1266 TC. This review has just reassured me in my chosen direction.
Glad you liked it, Berkanan. If you get the chance to listen to these, definitely give them a go still because they do some things really well, but they're not in my highest recommendations. 🙂
I have been waiting for Lachlan's review for years. Thanks man! GCJ
My pleasure George!
I think this would be a very challenging product to review! You have done an excellent job of capturing elements of the proposition of living with this potential and the limits of this potential.
I'm glad you found it such. It is a tricky one to review because it can be very enjoyable, but not without its quirks 🙂
Excellent review! Very truthful which some other videos on here seem to lack…I’ve always wondered about this headphone, now a lot of my wonder is gone!
So glad I could help 🙂
Thanks for the honest review. I’ve had mixed thoughts while watching content about Abyss. I’m hesitant to drop the kind of money they are asking. I just got rid of my Arya’s and picked up the LCD-24 and I’m happy I decided to not buy a 1266.
Based on some of your previous reviews, you might dig the LCD-24. It’s pretty impressive when it comes to depth and layering. I have the new Utopias and the LCD-5s, and this one just pulls the layers from front to back effortlessly in comparison. You can hear all the drum rooms and reverbs and at the same time the presentation is less aggressive. It rich and reminds me of a pair of speakers. It’s slightly narrow in the width but it makes up for it and you can find them on the used Market for good deals.
Sounds very much like my kind of headphone. Thanks for the tip!
Your analytical review is excellent.
With the type of music I listen to which is pop,electronic,metal,jazz these headphones are the best I have owned irrespective of their quirks.I am in the fortunate position of being able to afford the top end phones and I do obtain discounts on all the headphones I buy inc the Abyss.
Prior to the Abyss I owned the top end Stax 9000 setup but sold those after demoing the Susvara and the 1266 which I preferred.
Thanks for sharing your perspective and experiences, Stephen.
I have to agree with this comment. I've been fortunate enough to own almost every TOTL to date and still prefer the Abyss. It's incredibly exciting and I get lost in the music for most of the genres I listen to.
That's what matters most. If you find yourself enjoying your music more with it then it's definitely the right headphone for you. Happy listening!
DIY Cyeberman Kit
Exactly!
Lachlan, this may be your best review yet. Smashed it man! The piano is arguably the most difficult instrument of all to accurately portray for any transducer.
Thank you! Glad you liked it 🙂
Thank you for the nice and honest review. 600gm weight is a deal breaker for me, too heavy for my broken neck.
Yep. Too heavy for my unbroken head and neck too 🙂
Great, thorough, honest review that doesn't subscribe to the pervasive "if I don't like a headphone then I won't review it" approach we're seeing a lot of. Appreciated.
Absolutely. I review everything I get (with a very few exceptions - I think 3 in my entire time if doing reviews on UA-cam). It's just as important to be able to share what we don't like as what we like as reviewers - helps people properly understand our tastes and preferences.
I auditioned the 1266 and was surprised that the bass didn’t sound as it’s made out to be. Your review explains why!
Yep. How the bass sounds for one person could be completely different for another
I tried them but I found them quite uncomfortable which is the main reason they didn't stay with me. I couldn't really put my finger on it but they just sounded off to me. Your explanation describes this much better than I could.
The thing is I listened from the Bartók headphone out and I just don't think it powered them correctly so quite likely that had a lot to do with is as well.
These aren't as difficult to drive as they're made out to be. I think what you heard was the truth of them 🙂
The 1266's were top of my wish list to buy followed by the Elites . Thanks to this video I think the Elites have jumped to 1st spot. Great review!
That's definitely the choice I'd make. Glad you liked the review!
Whats the elites and where can i get em?
The Meze Elites. Where you can get them depends a lot on where you are. I've got a review here on the channel, but can't get a link easily here on the mobile app - sorry.
Owning both Elite and 1266 Phi TC, there is no question to me that the 1266 is the most amazing one. By far. Not even in same league. But Elite is more comfortable and can be powered by a mojo 2 which makes it very convenient for me.
Thank you for the really balanced review. For me the inconsistent fitting issues would be the dealbreaker for me.
Yeah. I probably over-emphasised the fit issues a little because it doesn't ever make them sound bad, but I felt that the marketing emphasis on them being so infinitely tuneable needed some counterpoint.
@@PassionforSound Agree, I would have to continuously re-adjust for a few times before to get to my preferred tuning as the minute changes affects the sounds
I feel so validated from your review, thank you!! They're such weird-sounding headphones, but what they do weird can be really cool. They're just not for me.
It helps me to hear validation too, Aaron. Thank you!
I agree that it's staging is excellent in size, space and image focus
Well done great review amen ❤
Thanks Noel! Glad you liked the review
Best 1266 review I’ve seen. I spent a brief time listening to these and was on the fence about them.
Glad you liked the review, Nick!
I got one with flat membranes and a phenomenal response (we have measuring equip here). I like it as much, but differently than my Jade II’s, and Warwick Aperio’s. HOWEVER, like the Jade’s and a few others I have had, YOU MUST DRIVE THEM PROPERLY, or they do barely average. With the XIAudio power and amp or the WA33, they are glorious. I enjoy several headphones as much (e.g. the Susvara, Meze Epoch’s and some custom’s I engineered for myself). But the 1266’s analytical vs enjoyability/musicality in terms of tone, timbre soundstage and imaging are at a completely unique place among all headphones.
Glad you're enjoying them! As I said in the video, there was no lack of driving capability with me for the review (Zähl HM-1, Enleum AMP-23R, Burson Soloist 3X GT, etc.)
Passion for Sound!..Thanks Much!..
Very interesting. Never heard them but that's how I imagined they would sound, except you didnt seem to be blown away by their bass performance like some people have been (even those who didnt like the headphone's overall performance). It seems that bass quantity aside, other headphones are capable of similar bass quality if that's the case.
It seems to me that, crazy price aside, these would only be a good choice for the following people:
1. Someone who's heard them and simply fell in love with that particular tonality.
2. Someone who found a perfect amplifier to address the headphone's wonky tonality - sounds like a powerful tube amp might do the trick.
3. Someone who collects headphones and doesn't mind spending that much money for a different flavour/type of experience.
But thanks for making it clear that if someone is saving up for a Caldera/Elite/HE1000se, there is no point postpoining the purchase for God knows how long to save yet another $3,000 to get the Abyss.
You don't seem to have made direct comparisons with the Susvara, I understand that it's brcause it's been a while since you last heard them. Am I right in thinking that except for boosted bass performance of the Abyss (when the seal is broken), there is nothing that the Abyss would have over the Susvara? When you listened to the Sus you seemed to have experienced that "wow" moment in terms of their technical performance which didn't seem to happen with the Abyss. Is it because your ears were already accustomed to that level of sound or simply because the Sus were better?
Yes, I think you're pretty right in your conclusions about these.
As for the bass, these sound impressive to some people because they create a certain emphasis in the bass (like having a subwoofer). It's a bit unnatural, but for many people will still be impressive.
As for the Susvara comparison, the 1266s create a larger soundstage with more space between instruments and they produce more bass overall, but the Susvaras do everything else better I think and are more natural sounding to my ears
Looks and sounds like you really did your due diligence. Appreciate your findings and opinions very much. The price tag compared to other flagship headphones is definitely a problem, especially since the 1266 PHI-TC is not a statement piece in the head Fi world. Sure it has a few party tricks, but I still don’t agree with the price. You could by an original D-8000 and a Sennheiser HD 800 for the same money almost ! 😮
final audio D8000 pro?
Absolutely. So many other choices that are likely better for most people
@@PassionforSound exactly. You get more variety, but then again it depends on the listener. I think you and I are similar where we like a variety of tuning and don’t set ourselves into one boundary of a tuning preference. I currently own 4 headphones for a reason and I’m sure you have more than I. Lol.
Yep. Right there with you. Honestly, I probably use only about 3-4 headphones regularly. The rest are all for reference and comparison
Note to self, never, ever bother to watch any further reviews from this guy.... @@PassionforSound
also, apologies, I came in a bit hot... the thread title didn't sit well with me as it seems like click bait, so I wasn't as balanced as I typically like to be in my post... no worries if others disagree with me. I just love my 1266, and there are many other reviews that align with my opinion.. and some that align more with the review in this video. Just keep an open mind and try for yourself. I find these headphones supremely comfortable, the weight is cleverly disguised, but that is personal. Very good midrange if you use the right DHT tubes in the DAC and/or amp. I struggle to find any shortcomings. End game. Careful feeding (no different than Susvara) and meticulous adjusting of the headphones also helps. Once you get them adjusted, they stay put.
I own them (bought used for $4k with new drivers) and completely agree with your review. Can be absolutely amazing, especially with bass heavy music, but the very recessed mids are a problem and make it difficult to focus on vocals on many tracks. Weight, comfort, price are all a bit ridiculous. Also own the Caldera and it's simply more consistent and enjoyable overall.
Thanks for sharing your experiences as an owner!
Its not a bit. Its over exaggeration crazy level. The fact that you said a bit means you are in the rich category
I have a feeling I would really enjoy the seal-broken bass from these but that constantly having to readjust them to my preference in terms of their seating would drive me bonkers. I wonder how they compare to just a sealed LCD-4.
That's a comparison I'd love to make 😁
Muy buenos sus videos y muy clara su forma de hablar y pronunciar, que sin traducción lo puedo entender ...
thoroughly honest review,what more could anyone ask for?
So glad you thought so. I try to bring the same approach to all reviews, but some products help to show the layers of grey a little more clearly 🙂
Great review. I had a chance to listen to 1266 Phi TC and it's bass is amazing. Really great for rock and metal. I respect reviewers who doesn't always praise products but tell what they really think. I like theese headphones but I wouldn't want to have them.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Andrzej. That's a good way to sum them up.
Just curious, why not ? Not to your liking ?
@@nicktan4530 I really liked the sound. They are just quite heavy, though comfortable. I prefer something lighter. At the moment my favorite are Crosszone CZ-1. They need cable swap and they depend on mastering and ganre. I am listening TOOL on them atm and it sounds amazing.
Me gustaría saber tu opinión de Ultrasone y si has probado alguno
Can we arrange a collab where Zach from ZMF gets to tune a LE Abyss Diana?… please.
That would be brilliant!
100% agreed
I enjoy mine but they are not perfect... it's definitely a party set vs. something that is tonally accurate or natural. These are very macro focused with bombastic tuning and some interesting staging aspects.
That's a great way to describe them, Ace!
Nice to see more critical reviews!
I'll always be critical where it's deserved 🙂
Hello Lachlan! I believe you are setting a new and very high bar for you tube head fi review videos. I agree with another of your followers that this might be the very best head fi audio review I have experienced, especially considering the challenging task of presenting your findings on such a product with as formidable a reputation as the AbyssPhi TC. You seem to serve the truth above all, and are to be commended for it. Your articulation of the quirks of this headphone and correlations with how you experienced music with it are obviously very carefully considered and expressed, which only deepen the perceived veracity of your conclusions. The audio reviewer community has a lot to learn from you. You leave no stone unturned, and you think carefully and deeply.
I do have a suggestion for you as a way of improving Passion For Sound, that is, you need a new music trailer worthy and reflective of the quality and depth of your audio reviews. Your current music trailer seems trite in character, if not frivolous. It would seem to me there would be something else available to you that better reflects your sensibilities and your profound relationship with music which drives your channel. I suppose you would want a selection that is not too serious sounding or ponderous, which would retain some upbeat quality still appealing to your general community of followers. Thanks for considering and for your attention to this information! Take care,
Mark
Thank you for the kind words and feedback, Mark! Which trailer are you referring to? (I have a feeling that I might have produced something ages ago and forgotten that I made it)
@@PassionforSound Lachlan, I was referring to the music track (I mis-spoke when I said trailer) that is playing while you are running your patron names/acknowledgements credits.
Ah, gotcha. Thanks Mark. It's probably due for an update now that you mention it
yup, you are one of those honest reviews mate. probably some praise high about it may because they paid $6k for it, so that make it god like headphone, from my point of view the headphone is suit in the fury movie, imagine brad pitt using this headphone smokin' cigar while sitting on the moving tank, excellent!
Haha. That image of them in Fury!
So glad you liked the honesty in my review 🙂
I'm only half way through and glad Lachlan is doing the critical listening for us.
Always happy to help! 🙂
Thanks for the perfect review... In my opinion even only the high weight would be enought for not purchase this can.. Now that i know all thr other issue.. I have mp doubts
Glad you liked it. If you ever get the chance to try them, do give them a listen, but I don't recommend people dropping that kind of cash for them 🙂
@@PassionforSound 😂😂 ya
The 1266 is an extremely quirky headphone indeed, I think you got to be a specific kind of person to go for this, thanks Lachlan for another super detailed review.
Definitely. Glad you liked the review 🙂
lets be honest its ugly and overpriced to the roof, Susvara is still top dog
I don't mind the ugliness so much (although it IS ugly), but yes, I do think it's significantly overpriced and would take a Susvara every time over the 1266.
Caldera and Atrium Closed is the best you can do with your money headphone with the current market offering. Both very different sounding, different technologies, still very natural tember on both and each is exceeding in certain areas like no other headphone on the market.
I agree for the Caldera. I'm not quite as sold on the Atrium Closed and think there's some competition there in the closed backs, but agree about naturalness of timbre being a strong point from ZMF
@@PassionforSound Atrium Closed does for me somethin bass-wise that no other headphone in that price range could. Coming from VC, not even close. I think AC is an absolute unicorn in that regard, if you want certain heavyness and sheer bass fun there is no way around AC atm imho. My current collection are ruled by supreme ZMF trinity right now Caldera, Atrium Closed and Verite Open. Each does something very special in a very natural and euphonic way. Susvara is collecting dust, just as Meze Elite.
I can definitely understand you feeling that way. We all have different tastes and the Atrium Closed is excellent for sure
If you were sent to some faraway place and could only take 1 headphone and 1 amp. What would it be?
That's a tough one! Probably the Meze Elites and Enleum AMP-23R, but the ZMF Atrium and Schiit Folkvangr would be tough to pass up.
Would love a HE1000 Stealth review!
Here you go: ua-cam.com/video/GB4iMpq17T0/v-deo.html
As a former Abyss headphone (Diana Phi) owner, I have to say, great and classy review. Actually brilliant review. I might sound harsher, but I’m not a reviewer so I talk only for myself: Abyss is the most overpriced overhyped overestimated headphone brand.
Glad you liked the review. Sorry that you didn't enjoy your Abyss experience
best reviewer in the hobby
Thank you, Seban!
You are sooooooo nuanced😮!
Thank you (I think?) 🙂
@@PassionforSound of course 👍
🙂🙂
good review, these companies need some reality check
Glad you liked the review. Yes, I'm all for paying the price if something really performs, but this is too much for not enough.
Is that a Sendy headphone stand? Nice. Very nice. 😂
I'd love to hear it one day, but the idea that you need to find the perfect position and seal to get the ideal sound seems too bothersome.
For me it's a positive.. Mine are great in the normal setting I leave it in at but I can dial in the width and toe in to taste based upon genre.
After spending significant time with them, they're far less finicky than they're made out to be. I think my issues with them come from the fact that Abyss are overstating their "tunability" and showing graphs that are unachievable on most people's heads. Once you find a setting that's right (and it doesn't have to take long) then you can just enjoy them, but they'll always have that bass peak and steep roll-off rather than linear extension to 20Hz. That's what makes them both fun and also a little unnatural (but not in a bad way as such)
@@PassionforSound For sure. That bass peak makes them very interesting too as a basshead. Probably not something I would use as a daily driver, but for certain genres and moods I can imagine they're fun. Definitely something I'd want to try out first.
Absolutely - on all counts. Lots of fun on the right tracks, but a try-before-buy headphone for sure
Very informative quality review and you gave it in a non-negative perspective. I know this may be going outside the ballpark but I often wondered would some (custom designed) partially vented/ported ear pads would reduce some of the tuning and/or fit complications to the 1266's, but I'm sure that some Diana owners may have been put off of buying any of the models if they had to pre-tweak them especially if they were traveling with them lol. Sony years back (MDR-F1) had such a model that had a similar partially open ear pad concept to that idea but they weren't adjustable for tuning unfortunately..... excellent review.✌️
Lachlan Are you going to be reviewing the new modhouse tungsten The new hifiman ananda nano the hifiman arya organic And Their brand new iem flagship Svanar When they're available of course? and maybe some of the fiio Products like the FiiO FD7 fiio ft3 and r7 and the new antlion Audio Kimura Microphone And maybe the zmf gaming cable Appreciate you doing a very Your review Style You're throwing lots of information But at a very gentle But very easy going Sort of relaxed Easy Digest information Without making things too complicated For me to understand Especially if you're someone who has like adhd And aspbergs Autism like myself Also I really like Gentle and sweet In the ear voice It's really not hard to come back after hearing your voice
So glad you're liking the content! Yes, I've already recorded my Kimura video and the new HiFiMan gear is on the way to me I believe. Not sure about the Modhouse, but I'll reach out to Ryan and see what we can arrange.
As for FiiO, they're a little trickier as their new PR person decided to prioritise other reviewers over me for some reason, but I've got the R7 and SP3s here now for review.
@@PassionforSound 👍
Abyss is a brilliant company with really interesting design ideas. I love the look of the Diana series- love the Diana badge. But the Abyss 1266 is a room too far for me. My loss. Even if i could afford them, and even if the sound was mind blowing, the look would make me the target of bird watchers and whistleblowers. So many headaches! But i love the company , and i would love to support them.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Tim! 🙂
Private Ten year Extended Warranty vs. Susvara's 3-year warranty looks like a big bonus. Also, didn't here much about Abyss QC issues.
I can't comment on something I haven't directly experienced. Hopefully potential buyers will do their research before dropping their cash.
Great bass, but the wonky mids are just unbearable for me to listen to. And the replacement pads cost more than a leather jacket.
That's scary about the pads. There is NOTHING about pads that should ever have them costing more than about $80-100.
Ananda Nano review soon?
I believe I've got some coming 🙂
Love your work, but my advice is try and decide for yourself. I have owned these for over a year and love them, most comfortable headphones I have owned and I wear glasses. I love the low/no clamping force. The mid range is indeed recessed, and my utopias show this difference with their rich mid range, but that said a quality valve amp like an Auris nirvana seems to “compensate for this gap” to my ears. And perhaps that’s a significant aspect you might explore in the future, amp synergy. I do find an accentuation of the Abyss’ extremes on a solid state Aries Sparkos amp (and that can be good, for example the transparency added to tubular bells is outstanding).
And what we value varies between all of us. Transparency and detail is something I love above all else… and that to me cannot be equaled by anything else but the Abyss with todays offerings. I had the musicality of the Bigger Ben amp but soon tired of the lack of, or smudging of, detail. Again synergy and individual taste is all important.
The Abyss are certainly my headphones of choice, for comfort, resolution, transparency, slam, and wow factor… shame about the extreme price which will no doubt limit their market.
No doubt your mileage may vary but at least give them a try if you can
T
I completely agree that these are a headphone people should try for themselves because they have a unique sound and I totally get why people love them (and why others don't).
Glad you're enjoying yours 🙂
That's why I always feel suspicious about high price tags...
how about 2000 dollar cables? 😅
There are high price tags that are worth it and high price tags that are not. I feel like this pushes a bit into the second category, but they are good fun for those with the $$$
@@PassionforSound sure, 50/50 - as always...
In my book, this sounds like a fail on Abyss’s part. This tier headphone should not be this finicky in it’s audio presentation, since that’s the most important part…
I’d love to see Abyss really pull to the forefront in the market and get some great recognition, but things like this, combined with the confusing/poor information on their own products is just a deal breaker for me. I’ll stick with the other big boys until I see some more consistent respectable practice/design.
All in all for the 1266, I’d summarize by saying “Quirky is good, but inconsistent is bad. Pass for me.”
I remember being hyped when I learned about Abyss, wanted one of their headphones so bad. A bit of research online changed that right quick.
Yes, they need to match their marketing and technical prowess so that the two are at the same level and also on the same page I think.
Expect a meltdown on headfi
when isn't there?
Yep. I'm not really on there much anymore so won't even see/hear about it unless I start getting trolled in these comments 🙂
I also did not like the Diana TC. They were a big disappointment and I found them to big overpriced vs. their performance.
I have no interest in the 1266 TC. I just don’t find them to be practical.
The Caldera, for me, was love at first listen.
I completely agree about the Diana TC - they are pretty awful. I've just reviewed the Diana v2 as well and they're better, but let's just say that Abyss probably won't like me much...
nice grumpy goose
Grumpy goose? What did I miss?
Once again, how do you afford ?
3000 euro for a used set in my country, very tempting.
Worth a go for the money
I have the Diana tc for sale. They just sound weird. Almost artificial.
Yep, I agree. I didn't like them at all when I reviewed them. I really don't understand the hype and it makes me wonder what's going on with reviewers who raved about them.
I would be on edge if I paid 6K for the most UGLIEST headphone I’ve seen. Even if I could afford it I would never own one
Yes. I think there are better choices out there if someone has 6k available to spend
Massive rip off. 6K for this is just no. You can get HE6SE V2 for $400 pre-owned and they sound fantastic.
$6,000? Nah, pass. Absolutely not.
To be fair, the 1266 will outperform the HE6 on multiple levels, but I do agree that the 1266s are probably a bit over priced.
@@PassionforSound A bit? I think that's being a little kind. $6,000.
I think they could be reasonably priced alongside the Susvara (what Susvara actually sells for, not RRP)
nicest way to say you don’t like them
😁
I wouldn't go as far as saying I don't like them (unlike the Diana TC). I do enjoy them - I just wouldn't personally buy them.
The latter. 😢
The latter? Not sure if a post above yours got deleted. Or maybe you're responding to something I said in the video that I've since forgotten 🙂
@@PassionforSound the TITLE of your video. ☝🏼☝🏼
Oh, duh! Of course 😳
Strange review vs. my experience. You already have a headphone or two you love so, it makes sense. Yet to say "extremely colored"? Not at all. And why break the seal? That's your whole issue with "inconsistency". They fit me perfectly with a slight toe in and lightly seal fully/easily ... they feel comfortable ... and are much lighter than they look. They sound a lot like my Evolution MM3 Exact speakers. Huge sound stage and a very even response reveals all music evenly, no bias by style etc. Nothing "inconsistent" about them ... again lightly sealed. Nothing weird about the frequency balance. Transients are not hyped or muted. Low end is big and punchy, no lack of attack and not "thin" or "neutral" or "disconnected". Very predictable and revealing headphone. Driven with a dCS Bartok Apex DAC, balanced output, using the upgraded JPS cable. If you want a headphone that is colored, these are not for you. You simply wanted more low mid "richness" and low mids emphasis as opposed to the even low mids, it seems. P.S. All pianos sound different, Mason & Hamlin to Yamaha or Bosendorfer ... wildly different. I have a grand piano here, and many other instruments. You have made these out to be something they are not, respectfully disagree with most of this review.
No problems with you disagreeing and I'm glad you like them.
Rich man’s headphone
Definitely
If i win the lottery... Oh, wait, i don't play it.
The design is just weird and not something you can use other in a dark room alone😂
🤣
Rip off? No
But jaw dropping? Definitely not.
Very mediocre headphones. Lot of resonances in upper midrange and wonky tonality.
6k is way too much for them.
Ps I'll quote summary from Den fi review which perfectly sums them up:
"TC reveals so many flaws that unless you are really looking for that lo-fi, high school shitty car stereo experience and are willing to pay through the nose for that, this headphone makes no sense."
Ps2. So maybe its a rip off
come on dude, too harsh! The cables are such a good deal and totally don't resemble snakes! 😆 AHEM...
@@chungang7037lol I don't care about the super duper cable for 3k... If somebody want to use that go ahead I don't mind but don't tell me that it changes them into different beast.
@@IHearEverythingDude exactly, well said!
I don't entirely agree with the quote (other than that the peaky bass can sound like a sub in a car) but I do think these sit in-between jaw-dropping and rip-off. They aren't either, but that's not a great thing for the money when they should really be jaw-dropping
@@PassionforSound yup they should. But they are not. People praying them because of price and probably they don't know how quality system should sound like.
Abyss means ripoff bcoz they drag you into the abyss ! I'd pay $2000, no more.
It does feel a bit that way sometimes. I think the 1266 is worth a bit more that $2000 based on its sonic performance. I think it should be priced alongside the Elites/Calderas, etc.
There is NO way I would ever put these on my head…they’re outright ugly to say nothing about being too heavy. For over $6k, I’d expect a much better design, like Meze.
Yes, the industrial design looks nice in isolation, but doesn't really work as a headphone (which is a problem for a 6k headphone)
Rant warning:
Unacceptable tbh. This is emblematic of what I don't like about this hobby.
Companies that are "marketing centric" and owners freebasing copium to rationalize why they didn't just waste thousands of dollars on cyberman cosplay.
It appears most of the price goes to marketing instead of lighter materials and development time as evidenced by the Abyss UA-cam videos I constantly see recommended but are actually tagged as ads.
Yes, I think you might be onto something there. I honestly believe the minority of companies fall into this category, but it only takes a couple to taint people's views of the brands and products in the hobby overall. ☹️
Sounds like Abyss needs to go back to the drawing board.
The ergonomics look to be designed by bunch of fresh-graduate industrial engineers.
As a consumer, I don't want to fiddle that much. It's just too many variables.
DCA is a good example what can be done if you spend the time to work on the ergonomics.
So yes, at that price, it's a rip-off.
Remember, this is the guy who sells repacked $10 cable for $300. So thread carefully.
I personally wouldn't buy anything from Joe Skubinski.
I feel much the same. I'd have been thrilled to hear a wonderful headphone here and certainly didn't want to dislike them, but I'm left uncomfortable about the brand overall having now tried three of their headphones and finding each to be over-priced for what you receive (significantly so in the case of the Dianas)
Two thumbs up for you to stand up with your review. I will forever be your subscriber. 😄
I'm sure Abyss won't be happy but hey, you need to speak your mind.
Yes, I think Abyss are not fans at this point, but it's more important to me to be honest and display integrity than to appease manufacturers.
I have no doubt those are fantastic sounding headphones, but they are also the ugliest headphones I`ve ever seen in my life...and they look exactly like contraption Cyberman from Dr.Who have on their heads :P
Yep. They ain't pretty 🙂
i stopped caring after i head them everything else is money grabbing garbage that and lcd 4 is almost there , all iv head since is just johhny come lately trash for wayyy to much money
Are you saying that you heard them and they were perfect for you or that you immediately dismissed them when you heard them?
@@PassionforSound iv dismissed every other head phone since;) . Iv head them many times over the years . I strive for exposure or I did . Verry little else has done any more in any direction iv found impresve enough to change my stance. I would find a fiting tube amp. The tt2 alone only gets you part way there.
I could not disagree more strongly with this review. I hesitated after watching this video, but bought the AB1266 anyway. So glad I didn't give this review any weight. Please check for yourself and don't solely rely on these UA-camr reviews. This reviewers opinion should not be given any more or less weight than any other experienced headphone user. This review is the outlier.
I'm glad you're enjoying them.
At six thousand dollars they deserve a thorough review, thanks for that but I'll stick with my Audeze LCD-X's.
My pleasure. I'd probably stick with the LCD-X too 🙂